Tunisia extends state of emergency by one month

By Yousra Ounes

TUNIS

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Tuesday extended the current state of emergency for one more month.

In a statement, the presidential office said the security situation was steadily improving in the North African country.

"Security and military [requirements], however, particularly regarding terrorism-combat, requires extending the state of emergency for another period," the statement said.

In February, the Tunisian authorities extended the state of emergency by three months.

Tunisia declared a state of emergency in late 2015 after 12 presidential guards were killed in a deadly attack in the capital Tunis. It has been extended ever since.

The state of emergency gives special powers to the security forces and allows the authorities to ban meetings, impose curfews and control the press.

By Yousra Ounes

TUNIS

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Tuesday extended the current state of emergency for one more month.

In a statement, the presidential office said the security situation was steadily improving in the North African country.

"Security and military [requirements], however, particularly regarding terrorism-combat, requires extending the state of emergency for another period," the statement said.

In February, the Tunisian authorities extended the state of emergency by three months.

Tunisia declared a state of emergency in late 2015 after 12 presidential guards were killed in a deadly attack in the capital Tunis. It has been extended ever since.

The state of emergency gives special powers to the security forces and allows the authorities to ban meetings, impose curfews and control the press.